Bears' $72 million defender's resurgence further proves Matt Eberflus's defect

After two inconsistent seasons, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been a revelation for the Chicago Bears this season. Edmunds is silencing critics by showcasing talent that earned him a massive four-year, $72 million contract in the 2023 offseason.

At just 27 years old, Edmunds is in the prime of his career. It is hard to believe he was drafted in the first round by the Buffalo Bills at just 19 years old in the 2018 NFL Draft. This season, he has been consistently disrupting opposing offenses with his speed, instincts, and physicality. His ability to read plays and make game-changing stops has been pivotal for the Bears' defense, which has shown dramatic improvement in recent weeks.

It helps that fellow linebacker T.J. Edwards has returned to the lineup. According to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, both linebackers spent the entire off-season switching between weakside and middle linebacker to determine their best position. While Edwards was out, Edmunds had to play the middle linebacker position. Edwards has now settled in as a middle linebacker, while Edmunds is a weakside linebacker in Dennis Allen's system.

As a result, Edmunds is thriving. He already has three interceptions and has shown his versatility, excelling in both run defense and pass coverage. He was instrumental in last week's win over the New Orleans Saints, recording a sack and an interception when Edwards tipped a pass late in the fourth quarter, securing their fourth straight win.

Edmunds' resurgence does not bode well for Matt Eberflus' reputation

His resurgence is a testament to his work ethic and adaptability, but it also highlights how underutilized he may have been under the previous regime. This week, Bears reporter Mark Grote from 670 The Score in Chicago revealed that Edmunds had issues with how former head coach Matt Eberflus was utilizing him the last two seasons.

Eberflus, who was the Bears' head coach from 2022 to 2024, took over the defensive coordinator role after the sudden resignation of Alan Williams. However, under his leadership, the Bears’ defense struggled to find consistency, and Edmunds often seemed miscast in schemes that failed to maximize his potential.

It is ironic that Ebeflus, who coached Sean Lee when he was the linebackers coach with the Dallas Cowboys, and Shaq Leonard, when he became the defensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts back in 2018, could not get the most out of Edmunds. His resurgence this season under a new coaching staff is a further indictment of how awful Eberflus was, as he is struggling as the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator.

Edmunds and the Bears face a stiff test this weekend when they visit the Baltimore Ravens. Bears fans will see linebacker Roquan Smith, their former first-round pick who was traded to Baltimore at the 2022 NFL trade deadline. After two uneventful seasons, he is starting to make fans forget about Smith.

Read more: 5 takeaways Bears fans should have gotten from 26-14 win over Saints in Week 7

They will also face quarterback Lamar Jackson, who will likely start after missing the last two games with an injury. With both cornerbacks, Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson, already ruled out with an injury, he and the defense will face a significant challenge. As Edmunds rediscovered his mojo, Allen is counting on Edmunds more than ever moving forward.